Vertically adjustable table with longitudinally adjustable dual purpose leg structrues



y 15, 1953 J. R. DORSEY ET AL 2,843,437

VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TABLE WITH LONGITUDINALLY ADJUSTABLE DUAL PURPOSE LEG STRUCTURES Filed April 25, 1957 NC I Haj M A \Z\ P 2/ fivnvvrae was 6 61/N6 /6 Jfl/WES ,9. 50/4 55? lira 5 A WM/ "i% United States Patent VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TABLE WITH LONGI- TUDINALLY ADJUSTABLE DUAL PURPOSE LEG STRUCTURES James R. Dorsey and Wilbert C. Young,

Minneapolis, Minn.

This invention relates tofurniture and more specifically relates to tables of adjustable height.

An object of our invention is to provide a new and improved table of simple and inexpensive construction and operation which may be readily and easily adjusted from one height to another.

Another object of our invention is the provision of a novel table having legs which are swingable upwardly and downwardly and are movable with respect to the table top in such a manner that when the legs engage the floor, the table is firmly supported and is prevented from tipping.

A further object of our invention is the provision of an improved table construction having interconnected leg structures which are swingable to dilferent positions to interchangeably support the table top at dining table height or coffee table height and which leg structures lock themselves in fixed relation to the top when the weight of the table is carried thereby.

These and other objects and advantages of our invention'will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views andin which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the table construction adjusted for use as a dining table or the like;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the table construction adjusted to low height for use as a coffee table or the like;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the table construction;

Fig. 4 is a detail transverse section view of the invention taken on a vertical plane substantially at 4-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail section view taken substantially at 55 in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a fractional section view similar to Fig. 4 and showing a slightly modified form of the invention.

One form of the present invention is described herein and shown in Figs. l-4. The table construction as indi cated in general by the numeral 10 includes an elongated rigid table top 11 and a pair of table-supporting leg structures, indicated in general by the numeral 12, and disposed beneath the opposite end portions of the table top.

As best seen in Figs. 3-5, the leg structures 12 each includes a plurality of elongated leg or support elements 13 and 14 which are disposed at acute angles with respect to each other. The leg elements 13 are very substantially longer than the leg elements 14 and each of the leg elements 13 is afiixed at its inner end to a corresponding leg element 14 and each of the interconnected leg elements 13 and 14 lie in a common vertical plane which extends longitudinally of the table top. The interconnected leg elements 13 and 14 of each leg structure are arranged beneath the end of the table top so that the shorter leg element 14 projects toward the end of the table top when the longer leg element 13 engages the floor, and so that the longer leg elements 13 lie against the lower side of the table top and project inwardly from 2,843,437 lc Patented July 1 1958 the end thereof when the shorter leg elements 14 are swung downwardly to engage the floor. Each of the leg structures 12 includes a cross brace 15 which is aflixed to and mortised into the leg elements 13 for holding the same in parallel relation with each other.

Means are provided for swingably connecting each of the leg structures 12 with the table top 11 so as to permit the table top to be supported either by the longer leg elements 13 or the shorter leg elements 14; and such means also permit shifting of the leg structures longitudinally of the table top so as to permit the shorter leg elements 14 to support the table top at positions closely adjacent the ends thereof and thereby impart substantial stability to the table and prevent tipping thereof.

Such means include at each end of the table top, a pair of track members 16 and 17 a-ffixed adjacent the opposite sides of the table top and extending longitudinally thereof. The track members 16 and 17 have elongated slots or guideways 18 formed therein with notches or upright openings 19 formed in the opposite ends.

Each of the leg structurm has a pair of pivot pins 20 which comprise dowels in the form shown, and which are disposed in alignment with each other. The pivots 20 project into the guideways or slots 18 of the tracks 16 and 17 for connecting the leg structures 12 with the table top. It will be noted that the pivots 20 are positioned, in relation to the surfaces 14a and 13aof the leg elements 14 and 13 respectively, and in relation to the corner portion 21 adjacent the juncture between these surfaces 13a and 14a, so that the leg structure 12 cannot swing relative to the table top when the pivot 20 is disposed in the notch 19. The distances between the pivot 20 and the surfaces 13a and 14a is less than the distance to the corner portion 21 and as a result, the pivot in the notch 19 and the surface 14a bearing against the bottom side of the table top provide a locking of the leg structure to prevent swinging thereof.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 is substantially identical to the form shown inFigs. l-S and has a table top 11, the leg structure 12 and the track member 17'. The guideway118' in this form of the invention is only recessed into the track member 17' instead of being cut through. The pivot 20' is carried in the guideway 18 in the manner previously described.

In operation, the table may be set up as a dining table as best seen in Fig. 1 with the longer elements 13 engaging the floor. The shorter leg elements lie against the lower side of the table top and the pivots 20 of the leg structures 12 are seated in the notches 19 at the inner ends of the track members 16 and 17. It will be seen that because of the acute angle relationship between the leg elements 13 and 14, the weight of the table acting against the leg elements 13 urges the leg elements 14 against the lower side of the table top. Therefore, any longitudinal forces applied to the table top as caused by a person leaning against it, will not cause the table to collapse. Furthermore the inner end of surface 14a bears against the lower side of the table top to prevent any swinging of the leg structure in a clockwise direction.

To adjust the height of the table 10, the table top will be lifted and the pivots 20 are lowered out of the notches 19 and into the guideway 18, thereby permitting the leg structures to swing about the pivots. The pivots will be moved along the guideways 19 toward the outer ends thereof and the shorter leg elements 14 will be swung downwardly subtantially into the position shown in Fig. 2. When the leg elements 13 have been swung inwardly and upwardly against the lower side of the table top, the outer ends of the shorter leg elements are lowered to the floor and the pivots are inserted into the notches 19 at the outer ends of the guideways 18. Because the shorter leg elements 14 are then disposed immediately below the ends of the table top, the table will be stabilized so as to prevent any tipping thereof. The leg structures will be locked in relation to the table top so that downward swinging of the longer leg elements 13 is prevented.

It will-be seen that we have provided a new and novel table construction of adjustable height wherein the leg structures are swingable to provide the height adjustment and wherein'the leg structures are movable longitudinally of the table top so as to impart stability to the table in both of its positions.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, detail, arrangement and proportion of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention which consists of the matter described herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

-1. A table construction, comprising an elongate table top having ends and longitudinal edges, a pair of tracks secured at each end of the table top to the lower side thereof and extending longitudinally along the edges thereof, a pair of unitary leg structures each disposed beneath a respective end portion of the table top and each having adjacent the edges thereof a pair of elongated support elements, one being substantially longer than the other and one being oriented at an acute angle with the other, said support elements having outer floor-engaging ends and also having rigidly interconnected inner ends, the shorter support elements lying against the lower side of the table top with the outer ends thereof projecting outwardly toward the corresponding ends of the table top, the leg structures also having pivot means adjacent the inner ends of the support elements and projecting therefrom into the tracks to permit swinging of the leg structures and to permit inward and outward movement of the leg structures along the tracks, stationary means on the table top preventing longitudinal movement of the leg structures in both directions when the pivot means are disposed inwardly from the ends of the table top and the shorter support elements lie against the table top with the longer support elements depending therefrom, and means on the table top preventing longitudinal movement of the leg structures when the pivot means are shifted outwardly adjacent the ends of the table top, and the longer support elements lying against the table top and the shorter support elements depending therefrom.

2. A table construction, comprising an elongate table top having ends and longitudinal edges, a pair of tracks secured at each end of the table top to the lower side thereof and extending longitudinally along the edges thereof, a pair of unitary leg structures each disposed beneath a respective end portion of the table top and each having adjacent the edges thereof a pair of elongated support elements, one being substantially longer than the other and one being oriented at an acute angle with the other, said support elements having outer floor-engaging ends and also having rigidly interconnected inner ends, the shorter support elements lying against the lower side of the table top with the outer ends thereof projecting outwardly toward the corresponding ends of the table top, the leg structures also having pivot means adjacent the inner ends of the support elements and projecting therefrom into the tracks to permit swinging of the leg structures and topermit inward and outward movement of the leg structures along the tracks, stationary means on the table top preventing'longitudinal movement of the leg structures in both directions, and also preventing swinging of the leg structures when the pivot means are disposed inwardly from the ends of the table top and the shorter support elements lie against the table top with the longer support elements depending therefrom, and

means on the table top preventing longitudinal movement of the leg structures when the pivot means are shifted outwardly adjacent the ends of the table top, and the longer support elements lying against the table top and the shorter support elements depending therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,202,318 Ralson May 28, 1940 2,329,213 Neutra, et al. Sept. 14, 1943 2,527,505 Wilkinson Oct. 24, 1950 2,581,658 Hicks Jan. 8, 1952 2,630,360 McGinley Mar. 3, 1953 2,636,794- Sternkope Apr. 28, 1953 2,643,923 Beall June 30, 1953 2,688,524- Hodgman Sept. 7, 1954 2,788,252 Davis Apr. 9, 1957 

